Deuteronomy 1:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-18

Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were given them good men were entrusted with the execution of them, which, as it was an instance of God's goodness to them, so it was of the care of Moses concerning them; and, it should seem, he mentions it here to recommend himself to them as a man that sincerely sought their welfare, and so to make way for what he was about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:15

So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known ,.... The principal persons among them, that were remarkable and well known for their wisdom and understanding, whom the people presented to him: and made them heads over you ; rulers of them, as follows: captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens ; see Exodus 18:21 . and officers among your tribes ; which Jarchi interprets of such that bind malefactors and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 1:15

Captains over thousands, etc. - What a curious and well-regulated economy was that of the Israelites! See its order and arrangement: God, the King and Supreme Judge; Moses, God's prime minister; The priests, consulting him by Urim and Thummim; The chiefs or princes of the twelve tribes; Chilliarchs, or captains over thousands; Centurions, or captains over hundreds; Tribunes, or captains over fifty men; Decurions, or captains over ten men; and, Officers, persons who might be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:1-18

The impartiality of God to be reflected in the judges of his people. In the following Homilies we adhere to the traditional view of the Mosaic authorship of the book, believing that no sufficient evidence has yet been adduced by the critics for departing from that view. Moses enters upon his addresses in the land of Moab by recapitulating the salient points of the Exodus. The first notable reference is to the appointment of the judges. The qualifications and directions here recorded are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:6-18

Rules to be observed in choosing rulers. This paragraph may with advantage be compared with Exodus 18:1-27 ; in which there is a fuller account of the circumstances under which the choice of judges and magistrates was proposed and made; this important step towards the order and consolidation of the national life was taken at the suggestion of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. Referring to the exposition of that chapter for the historic detail, we note here simply: 1. That the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-16

Division of labor. (Cf. Exodus 18:13-27 .) An instance of a good idea Reminds us that division of labor is as important in Church work as in the arts. I. THE NEGLECT OF DIVISION OF LABOR LEADS TO SERIOUS EVILS . 1. The work is not overtaken. "Not able" ( Deuteronomy 1:9 ). 2. Those who have to do it are greatly overtaxed. "Cumbrance," "burden" ( Deuteronomy 1:12 ). 3. Energy is wasted on subordinate tasks which might be applied to better purpose.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-18

Moses reminds them that he had done all that was required on his part to conduct the people to the enjoyment of what God had freely given to them. The people had so increased in number that Moses found himself unable to attend to all the matters that concerned them, or to adjudicate in all the differences that arose among them. God had brought to pass that which he had promised to Abraham ( Genesis 15:5 ), that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude; in this Moses rejoiced,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:9-18

The blessing of good government. I. A WISE MAN DISAVOWS ABSOLUTE MONARCHY . Legislation, the most difficult department of government, had been furnished for Israel by the Supreme Mind of the universe; yet Moses found the task of administration too much for a single arm. The aim of every ruler ought to be, not personal power, but universal service—the greatest good of the greatest number. No wise man will expose himself to the tremendous temptation of personal aggrandizement.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:14-15

The people approved of the proposal, and acted upon it; and Moses accordingly appointed the persons selected to be chiefs over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and ever tens ( Exodus 18:21 ); he appointed men also to be officers , that is, persons who should preserve order in the tribes, keeping the registers, acting as scribes, to prescribe and to take account of work, and perhaps also attending to fiscal arrangements ( שֹׁטְרִים , shoterim , a word of general... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 1:9-15

This appointment of the “captains” (compare Exodus 18:21 ff) must not be confounded with that of the elders in Numbers 11:16 ff. The former would number 78,600; the latter were 70 only.A comparison between this passage and that in Exodus makes it obvious that Moses is only touching on certain parts of the whole history, without regard to order of time, but with a special purpose. This important arrangement for the good government of the people took place before they left Horeb to march direct... read more

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